Fence-wire stretcher



P. H. FINNEGAN. FENCE WIRE STRETCHER. AFPUCATION nuzo Nov, 13, 1920.

Patented Sept. 13, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

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FENCE-WIRE STRE'IGHEB.

Specification of Letters Patent. Patented Sept 13, 1921.

Application filed yove mberlti, 1920. serial Ito. 42337;. I i

To all whom it may concern;

Bye it known that I, PATRICK H.F1mvnea1v, a c tizen of the United States of America, res ding at Greece, in the county of Howard and State of Iowa, have invented new and useful lmprovem ts in Fence Wire Stretchers, of which the flillowing is a specification.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive and eflicient stretcher for fence wires of the barbed or ,plain type wherein an interchangeable location of the draft from one side of a post to the other may be readily effected, and whereby the stretched length of the wire is disposed in proper relation to the plane of the ,post

which is being used as an anchor for the stretcher so as to facilitate the stapling of thew re to retain the tension which has been applied thereto by means of the stretching apparatus and to this end the invention consists in the construction and combination of parts of which a preferred embodiment is illustrated in the drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a plan view of the apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same.

The device consists essentially of a shank 10 with which at an intermediate point is connected a bearing arm 11 for engagement with a post as indicated at 12, said bearing arm having in. connection therewith a retainer 13 consisting for example of a chain for encircling and gripping the post, a link at or near the free end of the chain being engageable as indicated at 14 with the free end of the arm; and stretcher mechanism including a drum 1.5 mounted upon the shank in rear of the bearing arm to the end that the stretched portion of the wire which is indicated by dotted lines at 16 in Fig. 1 shall be disposed in proximity to and tensional relation with the post so that staples engaging the stretched portion of the wire may readily be driven into the post to hold the tension Which has been applied to the The bearing arm is connected with the shank of the stretcher by means of a clamp 17 secured in place by a bolt 18 to the end that the bearing arm may be extended in either direction horizontally from the shank to dispose the shank at either side of the post to suit the fence wires or strands being extended for attachment to the post.

The drum 15 is peripherally grooved to receive the wire and is provided with ratchet teeth 19 for engagement by a pawl 20 carteeth as the operation of gpplying tension to the fence wire or strand progresses In connection with the drum, for'retainmg the tension applied therebyflto the fence wire or strand there is employed a gripper consisting of jaws 25 pivoted as at 26 upon a cross head 27 of the shank and having serrated engaging faces QS betyveen which the fence w re or strand extends. The frictional contact of thewireor strand assing w en th has a t st w under ina y eendi ons v- 'mainte a th jaws in engaging relationwith the wire,but in addition thereto springs 29 will be employed as shown, said jaws having upstandmg cars 30 to facilitate the disengagement thereof from the wire or strand after the completion of the stretching operation and the stapling of the wire to the post.

At the extreme forward end of the shank there is preferably provided a wire guide 31 which serves to maintain the shank in alinement with the wire or strand to which tension is being applied.

To facilitate an interchangeable or selective arrangement of the bearing arm at either side of the shank to provide for stretching a fence wire or strand in a plane at either side of the post, the shank is preferably tapered from the point of engagement of the clamp 17 therewith to the end carrying the guide 31, so that the clamp may be readily slid longitudinally from the shank and replaced in a position adapted to suit the preferred arrangement of the device with referenceto the post, said clam in effect servin as a sleeve removably tted upon the re need or tapered portion of the shank, and the movement of the shank with reference to the sleeve and bearing arm, when properly engaged, being prevented by an enlargement or shoulder 32 on the shank bearing against the ear 33 on the inner end of the bearing arm 11. Said ear is forced into contact with the surface of the shank by the rearward pressure applied to the arm by the post so that in operation the parts are in effect located in their proper relations whereas upon the release of strain upon the fence wire or strand and the tilting of the arm serve 11 upon the pivot bolt 18, the engagement of the sleeve or clamp 17 is relieved. sufliciently to permit of the free sliding movement of the latter upon the shank.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new and useful is 1. A fence Wire stretcher having a shank provided intermediately of its length with a transverse bearing arm for contact with a post, and having terminally arranged wire stretching andeguiding means, said bearing arm being selectlvely attachable to the shank at either side thereof.

2. A fence wire stretcher having a shank provided intermediately of its length with a transverse bearing arm for contact with a post, and-having terminally arranged wire stretching and guiding means, said bearing arm being selectively attachable to the shank at either side thereof and provided with a clamp for detachably engaging said shank.

3.v A fence wire stretcher having a shank provided intermediately of its length with a'transverse bearing arm for contact with a'post, and having terminally arranged wire stretchlng and guid ng means, said bearing arm being selectively attachable to the shank at either side thereof and provided with a clamp for detachably engaging said shank, and shank being tapered from the plane of said clamp to the guide-carrying end thereof.

4. A fence wire stretcher having a shank provided intermediately of its length with a transverse bearing arm for contact with a post and having terminally arranged wire stretching and guiding means, a cross head mounted on the shank adjacent the stretching means and carrying a gripper for engaging and maintaining the tension of the stretched wire, the shank having an enlargement adjacent the cross head to provide a shoulder for abutting engagement by an ear on the bearing arm, and a clamp straddling the shank and engaging the bearing arm, whereby the bearing arm is rendered selectively attachable at either side of the shank, the latter being tapered in the direction of its length from the said enlargement to the terminal guiding means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

PATRICK H. FINNEGAN. 

